Volar Plating in Distal Radius Fractures: A Prospective Clinical Study on Efficacy of Dorsal Tangential Views to Avoid Screw Penetration

Publication date: Available online 22 June 2018
Source:Injury
Author(s): Minke Bergsma, Job N. Doornberg, Robin Duit, Aimane Saarig, David Worsley, Ruurd Jaarsma
PurposeThe purpose of this prospective cohort study of patients treated with volar plating for distal radius fractures is to evaluate the efficacy (defined as detection rate, or the ability to detect dorsally protruding screws) of additional dorsal tangential views (DTV) after obtaining standard anteroposterior (AP) and elevated lateral views by evaluating the change in intraoperative strategy in 100 patients.Materials and Methods100 patients aged 18 years and older undergoing volar plating for acute extra- or intra- articular distal radius fractures were prospectively enrolled. Intraoperative fluoroscopy views, including AP, elevated lateral and DTV were obtained. Intraoperative –screw– revision frequency for dorsal screw protrusion, screw position relative to volar plate and to dorsal compartment, and screw lengths were evaluated.ResultsAdditional DTV led to a change of intraoperative management in 31 of 100 (31%) of patients. A total of 35 out of 504 screws (6.9%) were changed. Screws in the two most radial screws in the plate were at the highest risk of being revised; 16 (46%) screws in most radial position and nine (26%) screws in the 2nd from radial position were revised. Furthermore, five (14%) screws in both the 2nd from ulnar and most ulnar screw holes were revised after DTV. No screws were revised in the central hole. The average length of revised screws was 21 mm (range, 12 to 26 mm), and these were changed to an average length of 18 mm (range, 10 to 22 mm).ConclusionIn this prospective series of 100 patients, obtaining additional DTV is found to be efficient as it led to change in intraoperative strategy in one-third of patients. We concur with previous pilot studies that DTV, after obtaining conventional AP and elevated lateral views, is advised to avoid dorsally protruding screws, which could minimize the potential for iatrogenic extensor tendon rupture after volar plating for distal radius fractures. Diagnostic accuracy of DTV is subject of a subsequent prospective cohort study with post-operative CT to serve as the reference standard.Level of EvidenceDiagnostic II



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